Latching and locking devices



May 18, 1965 Filed Feb. 20, 1963 c. s. GEHRIE 3,183,691

LATCHING AND LOCKING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES s. GEHPJE May 18, 1965 3,183,691

C. S. GEHRIE LATCHING AND LOCKING DEVICES Filed Feb. 20, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F-IEVG /26 INVENTOR.

CHARLES S- GEHR\E ATTORNEY May 18 1955 c. s. GEHRIE 3,183,691

LATCHING AND LOCKING DEVICES Filed Feb. 20, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTCR.

CHARLES S. (SEHR-)E Avrpnntv United States Patent O r3,183,691 Y LATCHING AND LGCKING DEVXCES Charles S. Gehrie, Montclair, Nal., assigner to Presto Lock Co., Inc., Garield, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 20, 1953, Ser. No. 259,879 15 Claims. (Cl. 7h- 70) The invention relates to improvements in latching devicesA and latching and locking devices for luggage cases and like receptacles and to an improved and novel form of hasp.

An object of the invention is to provide a dual action latching device; that is to say, a latching device providing means for selectively or alternately actuating a latching member to latch and unlatch the device, and vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latching device the latching means of which is provided with means for engaging a hasp wherein the latching means is cooperatively related to both a latch-releasing member and a latch-closing member for alternate actuation, the actuation of the latch-releasing member causing the latching means to be moved to unlatched position and actuation of the latch-closing member causing the latching means Vto be moved to latched and hasp-engaging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dual action latching device which is of symmetrical and pleasing appearance.

Still another object of the invention is -to provide a latching Ydevice having the structure and character indicated above wherein locking means is related to the latching means to releasably maintain the latching means in its latched position.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a latching device of the type having means for engaging a hasp of a construction which permits substantially full enclosure of a hasp within the latching device so that in effect the hasp constitutes a member which substantially disappears within the latching device. Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a hasp of a construction affording the advantages of minimum bulk and of a profile which permits its acceptance within a latching device where it is substantially hidden from view in the latched and hasp-engaging condition of the latching device.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a latching and locking device made in accordance with the invention, the device being shown mounted upon a valance which is secured to a luggage case which are shown in section, the device being shown in latched and hasp-engaging condition;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the device in its unlatched condition;

FIG. 4 is an exploded View showing in perspective the several components of the latching and locking device constituting the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, showing the device in latched condition, but with the latch member in unlocked condition and capable of retraction to unlatched position;

FG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5, except that the locking means has been shifted to prevent release or retraction of the latch member;

FIG. 7 is a plan View of the underside of the housing to show the interior thereof;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the underside of the device,

lggl Patented May l, 1.965

ice

the bottom plate being omitted to show the relationship of the parts contained in the housing; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred form hasp, part of the hasp'being shown in cross-section and attached to a valance member secured to a luggage case section.

Referring to the drawings, a latching device made in accordance with the invention generally compirses a housing or casing A, a latch member B, a latch-releasing member C and a latch-closing member D. The latch-releasing and latch-closing members are positioned in the housing in spaced relationship. The latch member is located in the housing intermediate the latch-releasing and latch-closing members, and is maintained in cooperative engagement with both the latch-releasing and latch-closing members. A pair of spaced openings are provided in the top wall of the housing to expose respective portions of the latch-releasing and latch-closing members.

The latch-releasing and latch-closing members are each pivotally 'and resiliently mounted in the housing and related to the intermediate latch member in a manner whereby, with the device in latched condition, manual depression or", or the application of pressure to, the exposed p0rtion of the latch-releasing member causes the latch member to be released or retracted to unlatched position. Concomitantly, the latch-closing member, which is maintained in engagement with the latch member and related thereto to normally urge the latch member toward unlatched or retracted position, is caused to be rotated so that the portion thereof which is exposed at the top of the housing springs up or is turned to open condition. Upon rotating the latch-closing member back to closed condition, the latch member is returned to latched position where it becomes caught and is releasably held by the latch-releasing member. The latch-releasing member is cocked and made ready for subsequent actuation and release of the latch member to unlatched position, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing A is provided with an aperture t) in a side thereof to allow entry of the operating portion of a hasp E, the latter being best shown in FIG. 9. The latch member B is provided with hasp-engaging means F (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8) so that the hasp E maybe captured and held when the latch member is in latched position, and the hasp released when the latch member is retracted to unlatched position.

In the preferred form` of the invention, the described latching and hasp-cooperable device is provided `with means for releasably maintaining or locking the latch member B in its latched position. For this purpose, a locking member G (FIG. 4) is mounted upon the latch member B (FIGS. 5 and 6), the latter being formed with appropriate means to maintain and guide the locking member when it is shifted from unlocked to locked position and vice versa. By moving the locking member from its unlocked to locked position by a key (not shown), a portion of the locking member is moved in the path of a coacting portion of the latch-releasing member to prevent its actuation, and thereby prevent movement of the latch member to unlatched position. Movement of the locking member in the opposite direction allows the latchreleasing member to be actuated and the latch member to be released or retracted to unlatched position. As a result, the hasp-engaging means F on the latch member B, which in the locked condition will not release the operating portion of the hasp E, may now do so. The shifting of the locking member G is accomplished through the medium of a related key barrel H disposed within the housing A having a portion thereof exposed through an opening in the top of the housing to allow entry of the key.

arsenaal The latching device of the invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a valance having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 which comprises the valance strips V and V. It will be understood, however, that the latching or latching and locking device Vof the invention may be used on any desired form of luggage case or like receptacle and in conjunction with any suitable form of valance. The valance strip V and the cooperating intertting valance strip V shown are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute part of the present invention.

In greater detail, and in accordance with the illustrated and preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing A, is substantially rectangular in outline, and as illustrated in FIG. l, is made of a width substantially equal to the width of the exposed portion -of valance strip V to which it is secured. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing comprises a -top wall having a pair of longitudinally spaced openings extending therethrough. More specifically, the top wall comprises narrow, longitudinally extending top wall portions 10 and itl which are bridged by a central web 12. The central web is preferably raised with respect to the wall portions 10 and 10 so that it extends above the plane of such wall portions. The housing has narrow top end wall portions i4 and 14 which, together with the top wall portions 10 and 10 and the central web 112,

circumscribe a pair of longitudinally spaced openings 116 and 16. As illustrated, these are substantially rectangular in outline. It willV be understood however, that the openings and the portions of the latch-releasing and latch-closing members which they receive may be of any other configuration, for example, circular. The opening 16 is adapted to receive and to expose a portion of the latchreleasing member C, and the opening 16 is adapted to receive and expose a portion of the latch-closing member D. The opening 16 is unobstructed in a vertical plane. The opening 16' however, has a horizontal shelf 18 extending partially into the opening for a purpose to be subsequently described. As shown in FIG. 4, the shelf 1? lies in a plane parallel to and below the plane of the wall portions 1G, 10 and 14, 14. The outer configuration of the housing is completed by the end walls 2G and 2li' extending downwardly respectively from the top end wall portions 14 and 14', and the side walls 22 and Z2' extending downwardly respectively from the top side wall portions 10 and 10'. The wall 22 is provided with the cut-out or aperture to allow entry of the hasp E.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 4, the exterior of the housing A possesses a symmetrical appearance in that the longitudinally spaced openings 16 and 16 are of substantially the same dimensions and are situated on each side of the intermediate web 12, with the web and open ings having substantially the same width. Also, the openings 16 and 16 and the central web 12 are centrally located between the top side wall portions and 1li', with lthe outer extremities of the respective openings equally provide means for securing the latching and locking device to a luggage case. The provision of these various means with their distinctively different functions is most conveniently obtained from the standpoint -of lowcost manufacture by making the housing as a die cast part. It will be apparent, however, that it is within the Scope of the invention to make the housing by blanking from strip stock, piercing and forming, and to provide the various means referred to as separate elements which may be assembled with the housing for the variously indicated functions and purposes.

As shown in FIG. 4, the latch-releasing member C, which also is preferably a die cast part, is a substantially rectangular piece having a top wall 24 and a pair of transversely spaced side walls 26 and 26. A pair of transversely spaced trunnions 28 and 2S are formed to project respectively from the side walls 26 and 26', the trunnions being located near the rear wall 30 of the latch-releasing member. The rear wall is indented at 32 to provide a bearing surface for the median portion 34 of a bowed leaf spring I. The ends or extremities of the leaf spring are designated 36 and 36.

The latch-releasing member C is provided with means for releasably holding the latch member in latched position. At the front and lower end of the latch-releasing member, a crossbar or lip 38 projects forwardly of and transversely between the side walls 26 and 26 to thereby provide an opening 4@ rearwardly of the crossbar. Such opening and crossbar are adapted to respectively receive and coact with a portion of the latch member as will be subsequently described. Further, the latch-releasing memmember is formed to provide a central tang 42 extending forwardly from the lower edge of the top wall 24, such tang, as will subsequently be explained, coacting with the locking member G when its is desired to lock the latch member in latched position. To conserve material, the latch-releasing member is preferably made hollow between the top, side and rear walls. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, a reinforcing wall 43 may be provided to extend between the side walls and rearwardly spaced from the crossbar 3S. As shown in FIGS. l, 5 and 6, the top wall 24 of the latch-releasing member corresponds in Voutline to the opening 16 and is adapted to be positioned spaced, by the Widths of the top end wall portions 14 and 14, from the depending end Walls 20 andV 20'. The housing is preferably made as a die casting and plated to provide a suitable finish.

As will be subsequently explained in detail, the interior of the housing is formed to provide means for pivotally mounting the latch-releasing member, for pivotally mounting the latch-closing member, for providing bearing means for the respective'resilient means acting upon the latch-releasing and latch-closing members, for furnishing guide means for the latch member in its movement from latched `to unlatched position and vice versa,

in such opening with a slight amount of clearance.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the latch-releasing member C is related to the housing A so that the trunnions 28 and 28 are received in a pair of transversely spaced and aligned open bearings 44 and 44 formed respectively on the underside of the housings wall portions 1G and itl'. The bowed spring I has its ends 36 and 'Sd'.bearing against the inner surface 46 of the wall 2t), the central portion 34 of the spring bearing against the end wall 32 of the latch-releasing member. The relationship of the parts is such that the pivotally mounted latch-releasing member C is resiliently urged by the spring .l in an upward direction, or in the direction of the arrow X, when the device is oriented as shown in FlGS. 2 and 3. As will be subsequently described, the relationship of the latch member with respect to the latch-releasing member is such that although the latch-releasing member is resiliently biased in the indicated direction, the 'latch-releasing member cannot escape from the housing, and is at all times maintained in resilient, pivotally mounted relationship with respect to the housing.

The latch member B, which also is preferably made as a die cast piece, is provided with means cooperable with the latch-releasing member whereby the latter may releasably hold the latch member in latched position. As shown in FG. 4, a horizontally extending wall 48 has a central nose portion 50 extending from one side thereof for coactionrwith the latch-releasing member C. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the underside of the nose portion is provided with a beveled surface 52, preferably at an angle of approximately 30, to match the angle proplane of the Wall 48.

vided on the surface of the crossbar 38 of the latch-releasing member. The nose portion t) is adapted to be received in the opening 49 behind the latch-releasing members crossbar 3S. The nose portion is formed to furnish a step or shoulder 54 at the rear thereof to permit the nose portion to be hooked over the crossbar 38. The transverse dimension of the latch member B is slightly less than the distance between the side Walls 22 and 22 lso that the member is confined for movement longitudinally of the housing by such walls.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the opposite or latch-closing member side of the latch member B, the latch member is provided with means to receive a coacting portion of the latch-closing member D. A crossbar 56 extends transversely between the spaced projections 58 and 58 projecting from the wall 4S but on a lower level than the This arrangement provides an aperture 6i? of substantially rectangular outline. The underside of the latch member is provided with a wedgeshaped portion extending laterally and rearwardly from a wall portion 62 which defines one side of the aperture '69. Such Wedge-shaped portion constitutes the hasp-engaging means F and is adapted to be received in a matingly-shaped opening 64 formed in the operating portion 66 of the hasp E (FIG. 9). For manufacturing convenience, and as shown in FIG. 8, the latch member is provided with a pair of transversely spaced hasp-engaging means F to eliminate the necessity for right and lefthanded elements, as when it is desired to oppositely orient a pair of latching and locking devices on a luggage case.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the Vunderside of the latch member B is also provided with a pair of transversely spaced projections 5S and 68', the extremities of which lie in the same plane as the surface 7G at the opposite side of the piece to prevent the piece from tipping or canting in its assembled relationship with the latch-releasing and latch-closing members in the housing. The wall 48 of the latch member is provided with a through hole 72 to allow the end of a key to extend therethrough when it is inserted in the key barrel H to move the locking member G.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the locking member G is confined and guided by means provided on the top side of the latch member B, such means preferably taking the form or" a pair of transversely spaced projections 74 and 74 and a second pair of projections 76 and 76', which Vare not quite as far apart as the rst-rnentioned pair of projections. The transverscy spaced projections 76 and '76', which extend laterally of the part and are parallel, also serve as spacers to maintain a uniform level of the piece in its movement between its latched position (FIG. 2) and its unlatched position (FIG. 3). The projection 76 is further formed at one end thereof with a hook portion 7S for mating cooperation vlnth notches provided on the locking member G.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the locking member G is preferably generally U-shaped in conguration and comprises a pair of arms tl and Sil which are resiliently related because of the configuration of the piece and because the part is made of spring metal. The integral spring arm Sti is of narrow width as compared to the width of the arm 8%. The extremity of the arm Sil bears against the projection 24. This arm has a tang S2 projecting laterally therefrom for coaction with the tang 42 on the latch-releasing member C. To contine the locking member on the transversely opposite side, the locking member is provided with a tail portion 84 extending below the base of the U-shaped piece for engagement with the projection 74. v

The arm 80 of the locking member is provided along its outer edge with means for engagement by a key and means for yieldably maintaining the locking member in its locking and unlocked positions. A notch 86 is provided to accept the tang of a key, the turning of which will move the locking member from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6, and vice versa.

A pair `of adjacent notches 8S and 88' are provided for coaction with the hook-like portion '78 on the latch member to respectively maintain the locking member in the unlocked position and locked position. In the latter position, the tang 82 is positioned intermediate the tang 42 lof the latch-releasing member and the nose portion of the latch member. The upper surface of the nose portion may be provided with an indentation 89 (FIG. 4) for clearance. With the latch member in latched position, and the locking member in the position shown in FIG. 6, the latch-releasing member is blocked and cannot release the latch member to unlatched position, though pressure may be applied tothe latch-releasing member.

The latch-closing member D also is preferably formed by die-casting, and as shown in FIG. 4, comprises a portion 90 for manual engagement having an outline corresponding to the opening 16 in the housing, but of slightly smaller dimensions so that it maybe positioned in such opening with a slight amount of clearance as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The underside 92 of the portion 96 is adapted to overlie the shelf 18 in the aperture 16. The surface 92 merges into a downwardly extending portion 94 the extremity 96 of which is adapted to be engaged by resilient means K, preferably in the form of a leaf spring having the configuration shown in FIG. 4. The latch member engaging end of the latch-closing member is in the form of a lobe 9S, the top rounded end 106 of which provides means for pivoting the latch-closing member in the housing. The opposite side 102 of the lobe is adapted to be received in the aperture of the latch member B.

The latch-closing member D is located in the housing A and related to the latch member B by positioning the pivot portion 1% of the lobe 98 in an open depressed or concave bearing 104 formed in the underside of the cross web 12 of the housing A, as shown in FIG. 7, and locating the portion in the opening 16 so that the surface 92 overlies the shelf 18 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The end 162 of the lobe 98 is positioned in the aperture 6ft provided in the adjoining latch member. The latch-closing member has the pivot portion ltltl thereof maintained in the bearing 194 by the spring K. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the end of the spring arm 1% bears against the portion 96 of the latch-closing member. The opposite end of the spring, which is curled and in the form of a hook 16S, is held between a pair of spaced lugs 110 and 112, the former extending from the side wall 20' and the latter from the underside ofthe shelf 18 (FIG. '7)

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing A is further provided with short depending studs 114 and 114 eX- tending from the underside of the wall 26 and a similar s tud 116 depending from a boss 11S formed adjoining the end Wall 20 on the opposite side of the housing. The studs 1114, 114 and 116 are adapted to be extended through respective openings 120 and 120 and 122 formed in a bottom closure plate I, after which the ends of the studs are headed over to secure the plate to the housing. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom or closure plate I is provided with a cut-out 126 substantially midway of its length for alignment with the aperture (l in the housing so that there will be no interference with the entry of the hasp E into the housing for coaction with the hasp-engaging means F on the latch member. In order to properly locate the bottom plate at the underside of the housing, the bottom plate is provided with spaced notches 128, 128 and 130, 130', such notches intertting with projections 132, 132 and 134, 134 respectively formed integrally with the inner surfaces of the` side walls 22 and 22.

In order to facilitate attachment of the described latching and locking'device to a valance or appropriate portion of a luggage case, ythe housing A is further formed at each end thereof with depending attaching studs 136 and 136', which after being extended through aligned holes in the portion of the luggage case to which the device is to be aiiixed, are headed over to secure the connection. As shown in FIG. 7, the attaching studs are located off-center so that they may be extended through the illustrated valance member V without interfering with that area of the valance member which interfits with and engages the valance member V. The bottom plate I is provided with cut-outs 138 and 130 to allow the studs 136 and 136 to extend beyond the closure plate. Also, the bottom plate may be indented to assure clearance for the extremity 102 of the latch-closing member.

FIG. 2 shows the relationship of the latch member B with respect to the latch-releasing member C and the latch-closing member D when the device is in latched condition. The nose 50 of the latch member B is hooked over the crossbar 38 yof the latch-releasing member. The pivotally mounted latch-releasing member C is urged by the spring .l in the direction of the arrow X. The latchclosing member D has the portion 102 on the lobe 93 extending vertically through the aperture 60 on the opposite side of the latch member. The spring K bearing against the portion 96 of the latch-closing member maintains the pivot portion 100 in the bearing 104. Also, the relationship of the resiliently and pivotally mounted latch-closing member with respect to the latch member is such that the latch member is being urged toward unlatched position. The latch member however, is being releasably held in latched position by the coaction of the crossbar 38 with the nose portion 50. Pressure on the button or outer surface provided by the portion 90 of the latch-closing member will have no effect and will not change the essential relationship of the parts as shown in FIG. 2. The shelf 18 acts as a stop and prevents alteration of the components relationship should pressure be applied to the closed latch-closing member when in the position shown in FIG. 2.

To unlatch the device, the button provided bythe upper surface of the exposed portion 24 of the latch-releasing member C is pressed down, thereby causing the crossbar 38 to move below the shoulder 54 provided at the rear of the nose 50 of the latch member B. Upon disengagement of the nose portion 50 from-the crossbar 3S over which it had been hooked, the spring arm 106 bearing against the adjoining portion 96 of the latch-closing member D causes the latch-closing member to rotate about its pivot 100 so that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 3.

Due to the location of the portion 102 of the latch-closing member in the aperture 60 of the latch member, the Iotation of lthe latch-closing member moves the latch member a short distance to the right from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the unlatched position shown in FIG. 3. The extent of rotation of the latch-closing member is limited by the stop furnished by the edge 140 of the central web 12 engaged by the vertical wall 142 at the extremity of the top wall 90.

With the latch-closing member rotated to the up position of FIG. 3, the latch-releasing member C now has its crossbar 38 located beneath the nose 50 of the latch portion of the latch-closing member to rotate it back Y to its flat or down position. Rotating the latch-closing member back to such position causes the latch member B to be moved longitudinally to the left from the position lshown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2, whereupon the matching surface on the underside of the nose 50 stressed to cock the latch-releasing member for actuation Vand release of the latch member to unlatched position. With the hasp E extended through the aperture 0 and posirtioned within the device, rotating the latch-closing member from its open, upstanding position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 2 causes the hasp-engaging means F on the latch member to enter the hasps recess 64 and secure the hasp.

The latch-closing member D may be likened to a bell .crank. The short end of the crank 102 is retained in the aperture 60 of the latch member, such aperture being in the nature of a socket. The long end of the crank is provided by the rotatable lever arm represented by the wall portion 90, which extends outside the housing A.

The described latching device, and the arrangement of the hasp-engaging means F on the underside of the latch member with respect to the adjacent aperture 0 in the housing permits the hasp E to be of a profile which enables disappearance of the hasp within the latching device or, as shown in FIG. 1, to furnish a substantially flush appearance when the hasp is engaged and held by the latching device. The described relationship of the components of the latching device is such that the hasp may be mounted .along the edge of a luggage case section in a manner wherein the hasp cannot interfere with articles of clothing or the like which may be packed within the luggage case. As will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 9, the hasp E, rather than projecting transversely from the luggage case section to which it is secured or toward the opposing case section, extends or projects vertically from the case section. As more particularly shown in FIG. 9, the operating portion 66 of the hasp, within which is formed the recess 64 for mating engagement with the hasp-engaging means F, is in the form of an upstanding boss which projects or extends upwardly or perpendicularly from the base portion so that the entire hasp, when attached to a valance member such as valance member V', may be set back from, or at least not project beyond, the forward edge of the valance member and of the luggage case section with which it is assembled. The base portion 140 may be provided with a pair of integral, laterally spaced, downwardly dependent, connecting studs 142, one of which is shown in FIG. 9. The studs are passed through apertures formed in the valance member V and aligned openings formed in the luggage material and then headed over at their free ends to secure the connection of the parts. In the assembled relationship, the underside of the base portion liesv tiat against the valance member.

It is believed that the advantages and improved results of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the latching device, latching and locking device and hasp. It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A latching device comprising a housing having a pair of spaced openings extending through the top wall thereof, a latch-releasing member and a latch-closing member positioned in the housing in spaced relationship, said members each having a portion thereof exposed in said spaced housing openings, a latch member positioned in the housing intermediate the latch-releasing and latchclosing members', the latch-releasingV and latch-closing members each being spring biased and pivotally mounted in the housing and cooperatively related to the latch member whereby depression of the Vexposed portion of the latch-releasing member causes the latch member to be retracted to Vunlatched position and the latch-closing member to be rotated so that the exposed portion thereof is turned to open condition, rotation of the exposed portion of the latch-closing member back to closed condition causing the latch member to be moved to latched position `where the latch member is releasably held by ythe latchreleasing member.

2. A latching device as set forth in claim l including a locking member mounted on the latch member for movement therewith, means provided by the latch member for guiding the locking member for movement transversely of the latch member, cooperable means .provided by the locking member and the latch-releasing member to block actuation of the latch-releasing me-mber, the housing having key admission means and the locking member having key cooperable means whereby the locking member may ,be moved from latch-releasing member-blocking to latchireleasing member-unblocking positions and vice versa.

3. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising a housing having a pair of spaced openings extending through the top Wall thereof, said housing having an aperture in a side wall to allow entry of a hasp, a latch-releasing member and a latch-closing member positioned in the housing in spaced relationship, said members each having a portion thereof exposed in said spaced housing openings, a latch member having haspengaging means positioned in the housing intermediate 'the latch-releasing and latch-closing members, the latchreleasing and latch-closing members each being spring biased and pivotally mounted in the housing and cooperatively related to the latch member whereby depression of the exposed portion of the latch-releasing member causes the latch member to be retracted to unlatched position and Ithe latch-closing member to be rotated so that the exposed portion thereof is turned to open condition, rotation of the exposed portion of the latch-closing member back to closed condition causing the latch member to be moved to latched and hasp-engaging position where the latch member is releasably held by the latchreleasing member.

4. A latching device as set forth in claim 3 including a locking member mounted on the latch member for movement therewith, means provided by the latch member for guiding the locking member for movement transversely ofthe latch member, cooperable means provided by the locking member and the Vlatch-releasing member to biock actuation of the latch-releasing member, the housing having key admission means and the locking member having key cooperable means whereby the locking member may be moved from latch-releasing memberblocking to latch-releasing member-unblocking positions and vice versa.

5. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising a housing having a pair of longitudinally spaced openings extending through the top wall thereof, said housing having an aperture in a side wall to allow entry of a hasp, a llatch-releasing member Vand a latchclosing member positioned in the housing in longitudinally spaced relationship, said members each having a portion thereof exposed in said spaced housing openings, a latch member having hasp-engaging means positioned in the housing intermediate the latch-releasing and latchclosing members, means for pivotally mounting the latchreleasing member in the housing, resilient means in engagement with the latch-releasing member, means associated with the latch-releasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition, means for pivotally mounting the latch-closing member in the housing, means connecting the latch-closing member to the latch member, resilient means cooperating with the latchclosing member acting to urge the latch member toward unlatched position and to rotate the latch-closing member so that the exposed portion thereof is turned to open condition, rotation of the exposed portion of the latchlclosing member back to closed condition causing the latch member to be moved to latched and hasp-engaging position where the latch member is releasably held by the latch-releasing member, depression of the exposed portion of the latch-releasing member causing the latch member to be released to unatched position.

6. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising a housing having a pair of longitudinally spaced openings extending through the top wall thereof, said housing having an aperture in a side wall to allow entry of a hasp, a latch-releasing member and a latchclosing member positioned in the housing in longitudinally spaced relationship, said members each having a portion thereof exposed in said spaced housing openings, a

latch member having hasp-engaging means positioned in the housing intermediate the latch-releasing and latchclosing members, cooperating means provided by the housing and the latch-releasing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing, resilient means in engagement with the latch-releasing member, cooperating means provided by the latch member and the latch-releasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition, cooperating means provided by the housing and the latch-closing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing, means connecting the latch-closing member to the latch member,

resilient means cooperating with the latch-closing member acting to urge the latch member toward unlatched position and to rotate the latch-closing member so that the exposed portion thereof is `turned to open condition, rotation or the exposed portion of the latch-closing member back to closed condition causing the latch member to be Vmoved to latched and hasp-engaging position where the latch member is releasably held by the latch-releasing member, depression of the exposed portion of the latchreleasing member causing Athe latch member to be release-d to unlatched position.

7. A latching device as set forth in claim 6 including a locking member mounted on the latch member for movement therewith, means provided by :the latch member for guiding the locking member for movement transversely of the latch member, cooperable means provided by the locking member and the latch-releasing member to block actuation of the latch-releasing member, the housing having key admission means and the locking member Vhaving key cooperable means whereby the locking member may be moved from latch-releasing memberblocking to latch-releasing member -unblocking positions and vice-versa.

8. A latching device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the top wall of the housing comprises a central web between the longitudinally spaced openings, the spaced openings are of substantially the same dimensions, and the portions of the latch-releasing and latch-closing members exposed in the spaced openings are of the same outline and slightly smaller dimensions than the openings.

9. A latching device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the hasp-engaging means is provided on the underside of the latch member, is formed integrally with the latch member, and is substantially wedge-shaped.

10. A latching device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and latch-releasing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises a pair of transversely spaced open bearings on the underside of the top wall of the housing and a pair of transversely spaced trunnions provided by the latch-releasing member; and wherein the cooperating means provided by the latch member and the latch-releasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition comprises a transversely extending crossbar and an adjacent aperture provided by the latch-releasing member and a nose portion provided by the latch member adapted to be received in said aperture and over said crossbar inthe latched position of the latch member, the nose portion and the crossbar having matchingly angled coacting surfaces, the nose portion overyling the crossbar in the unlatched position of the latch member.

11. A latching device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and latch-releasing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises a pair of transversely spaced open bearings on the underside of the top Wall of the housing and a pair of transversely spaced trunnions provided by the latch-releasing member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the latch member and the latch-releasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition comprises a transversely extendingi crossbar and an adjacent aperture provided by the latch-releasing member and nose portion provided by the latch member adapted to be received in said aperture and over said crossbar in the latched position of the latch member, the nose portion and the crossbar having matchingly angled coacting surfaces, the nose portion overyling the crossbar in the unlatched position of the latch member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and the latchclosing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises anopen bearing formed on the underside of the top wall which receives a pivotal portion at one end of a lobe provided by the latch-closing member; and wherein the means connecting the latchclosing member to the latch member comprises an aperture formed in the latch member having the opposite end of said lobe positioned therein.

12. A latching device as set forth inl claim 6, wherein the top wall of the housing comprises a central web between the longitudinally spaced openings, the spaced openings are of substantially the same dimensions, and the portions of the latch-releasing and latch-closing members exposed in the spaced openings are of the same outline and slightly smaller dimensions than the openings; wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and latch-releasing member for -pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises a pair of transversely spaced open bearings on the underside of the top wall of the housing and a pair of transversely spaced trunnions provided by the latch-releasing member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the latch member and the latch-releasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition comprises a transversely extending crossbar and an adjacent aperture provided by the latch-releasing member and a nose portion provided by the latch member adapted to be received in said aperture and over said crossbar in the latched position of the latch member, the nose portion and the crossbar having matchingly angled coacting surfaces, the nose portion overlying the crossbar in the unlatched position of the latch member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and the latch-closing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises an open bearing formed on the underside of the central web which receives a pivot portion at one end of a lobe provided by the latch-closing member; and wherein the means connecting the latchclosing member to the latch member comprises an aperature formed in the latch member having the opposite end of said lobe positioned therein. Y

13. A latching device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the top wall of the housing comprises a central web between the longitudinally spaced openings, the spaced openingsare of substantially the same dimensions, and the portions ot the latclti-releasin/gy and. latch-cldsing members exposed in the spaced openings are of the same outline and slightly smaller dimensions than the openings; wherein the hasp-'engaging means is provided on the underside of the latch member and is formed integrally with the latch member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and latch-releasing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises a pair of transversely spaced open bearings on the underside of the top wall of the housing and lthe latch-releasing member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the latch member and the latchreleasing member for releasably holding the latch member in latched condition comprises a transversely extending crossbar and an adjacent aperture provided by the latch-releasing member and a nose portion provided by the latch member adapted to be received in said aperture and over said crossbar in the latched position of the latch member, the nose portion and the crossbar having matchingly angled coacting surfaces, thse nose portion overyling the crossbar in the unlatched position of the latch member; wherein the cooperating means provided by the housing and the latch-closing member for pivotally mounting said member in the housing comprises an open bearing formed on the underside of the central web which receives a pivot portion at one end of a lobe provided by the latch-closing member; and wherein the means connecting the latch-closing member to the latch member comprises an aperture formed in the latch member providing a socket, the opposite end of said lobe being positioned in the aperture to provide a lever arm, the portion of the latch-closing member exposed in the housing opening providing a second lever arm.

14. A latching device as set forth in claim 13 including a locking member mounted on the latch member for movement therewith, means provided by the latch member Ifor guiding the locking member rfor movement transversely of the latch member, cooperable means provided by the locking member and the latch-releasing member to block actuation of the latch-releasing member, the housing having key admission means and the locking member having key cooperable means whereby the locking member may be moved from latch-releasing member-blocking to latch-releasing member-unblocking positions and'vice versa.

15. In combination, a latching device and a hasp for a luggage case orrlike receptable, said latching device comprising a housing having an aperture in a side wall to allow entry of a hasp, a latching-releasing member and a latch-closing member positioned in the housing in spaced relationship, a latch member mounted for movement laterally with respect to said aperture positioned in the housing intermediate the latch-releasing and latch-closing members and cooperatively related to the latch-releasing and latch-closing members to respectively release the latch member and return the latch member to latched position, said latch member having hasp-engaging means on the underside thereof, and a hasp having a base portion adapted for connection to a luggage case section, a boss extending vertically from the .base portion, said boss having a laterally extending recess formed therein adapted to receive said haspengaging means when the boss is passed through said aperture in the housing beneath the latch member and the latch member moved to latched and hasp-engaging position.V

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,980,295 11/34 Schnell 292-340 2,825,218 3/58 OBrien 70-7 2,940,291 6/60 Swanson 70--70 3,031,874 5/62 Levine 70-70 3,106,082 10/63 Payor et al. 70--74 M. BENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner.

ALBERTI-I. KAMPE, Examiner. 

1. A LATCHING DEVICE COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS EXTENDING THROUGH THE TOP WALL THEREOF, A LATCH-RELEASING MEMBER AND A LATCH-CLOSING MEMBER POSITIONED IN THE HOUSING IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP, SAID MEMBERS EACH HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXPOSED IN SAID SPACED HOUSING OPENINGS, A LATCH MEMBER POSITIONED IN THE HOUSING INTERMEDIATE THE LATCH-RELEASING AND LATCHCLOSING MEMBERS, THE LATCH-RELEASING AND LATCH-CLOSING MEMBERS EACH BEING SPRING BIASED AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING AND COOPERATIVELY RELATED TO THE LATCH MEMBER WHEREBY DEPRESSION OF THE EXPOSED PORTION OF THE LATCH-RELEASING MEMBER CAUSES THE LATCH MEMBER TO BE RETRACTED TO UNLATCHED POSITION AND THE LATCH-CLOSING MEMBER TO BE ROTATED SO THAT THE EXPOSED PORTION THEREOF IS TURNED TO OPEN CONDITION, ROTATION OF THE EXPOSED PORTION OF THE LATCH-CLOSING MEMBER BACK TO CLOSE CONDITION CAUSING THE LATCH MEMBER TO BE MOVED TO LATCHED POSITION WHERE THE LATCH MEMBER IS RELEASABLY HELD BY THE LATCHRELEASING MEMBER. 